UNP has a duty to prevent return of Rajapaksa rule: Mangala

2018-02-12 22:54:30

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Finance Minister Mangala Samaraweera said today the UNP had a solemn duty not just to the 46% of the electorate who voted for it and President Maithripala Sirisena's SLFP last Saturday, but to the entire resounding majority of citizens of all 6.1 million of (55.3%) who marched to the polls last Saturday and voted against a return to the Rajapaksa rule.

The Minister, who compared the current election results with that of the 2015 Presidential Election, said it was evident that Mahinda Rajapaksa who in January 2015 commanded 5.77 million votes (47.6%) as his presidency waned week was not ‘even able to muster 4.95 million votes or even 44.7% of voters this time.

Issuing a statement, the Minister said on January 8, 2015, fifty one per cent of Sri Lankans voted for the vision put forth to them by our unity candidate Maithripala Sirisena; that the time for dictatorship in our country was over, and that those committed to re-establishing democracy in Sri Lanka must unite to ensure that government serves all of the people, and not a single family and their loyal disciples.

On that day, the United Nations: Party, several stalwarts of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party, the People s Liberation Front, the Sri Lanka Muslim Congress, the Tamil National Alliance, the Democratic People’s Front. and all together over 30 political and civic bodies came together to prove that Sri Lankans shared their vision of a Sri Lanka that v/as ruled by law and not through fear.

We promised to amend the constitution to restore independence to the public service. abolish the executive Presidency, and enshrine the rights of all Sri Lankans into the legal bedrock of our legal system. We promised to bring those who robbed the coffers of the treasury to justice. We promised to hold accountable those who quenched their thirst for power with the blood of brave journalists and peaceful protesters Most of all, we promised you a government that would be free of the rampant Corruption that defined the decade that came before us.

Today, the people told us that we have not done enough. Despite the sincerest of efforts to inject haste and independence into a dilapidated justice system over the last three years and empower the police with the tools they need to successfully investigate complex crimes, murderers and fraudsters remain at large. Despite our government being the first in the nation’s history to insist that ministers must resign from the cabinet at the first sign of wrongdoing, and indeed the first to investigate allegations of corruption within its ranks with such vigor, justice is yet to be served

The message from the people has sunk deep into the UNP. and we are committed to taking drastic measures to fulfill the promises we made three years ago and maintain public trust. As we embark on this chapter in the story of our democracy, Sri Lanka can be proud of f two remarkable things we saw last Saturday,

Tie first is the conduct of an election under the auspices of an independent elections commission and police service. Never before has a government shied from manipulating public personnel. funds, resources and state media into an organ of their political ends. We hope that under these Independent bodies, Sri Lanka has seen the last of corruption, Intimidation and violence marring our elections.

The UNP has a solemn duty not just to the 46% of the electorate who voted for us and President Sirisena ‘s SLEP last Saturday, but to the entire resounding majority of our citizens all 6.1 million of d (55.3%) who marched to the polls last Saturday and voted against a return to Rajapaksa rule. Our duty is to broaden our own voter base by delivering results. While joining hands with all honest and democratic political forces to uplift our motherland and assure that Sri Lanka never again returns to rule by the sword.

Then UNP, SLFP, TNA and JVP should have contested as a collision. This is exactly why people rejected you, trying to fool the people.

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SN Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:20

The time has come to clean the stables and get to work. Remove those incapable and get into action. Its only JVP who made 2% increase of their base.

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observation Monday, 12 February 2018 23:17

5.8 million votes for MR in January 2015 declined to about 4.5 million in August 2015. This time he again received around 4.5 million. It looks like he will be able to preserve this block vote. The sudden drop from 5.8 to 4.5 is suspicious.

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james Monday, 12 February 2018 23:18

HA. HA. HA. BIG TALK.. NO ACTION LAST 3 YEARS. KEEP SLEEPING ..OH BY THE WAY DO NOT TALK ON YOUR SLEEP...U CAN'T FOOL PEOPLE ALL THE TIME.

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Damian Monday, 12 February 2018 23:20

Are you in Mars ??

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Ari Monday, 12 February 2018 23:22

What a joker. Why not count the spoilt votes as well in your favor..

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Jim Monday, 12 February 2018 23:32

Sri Lankan's have not given Mangala or the UNP a mandate to nanny them. In a democracy people decide what's right for them, your only duty is to respect their will and decision. Consider this statement as an attack on democracy coming from the people who promised Yahapalanay.

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kumudu Tuesday, 13 February 2018 11:48

Bring Ravi who destroy image of party to justice.

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Silva Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:10

Sri Lankan's have not given Mangala or to the UNP a mandate to prevent return of MR to the power.................

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DD Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:23

You are responsible for the defeat to a greater extent, as the FM. You put burden on people by imposing VAT on essential things such as medical care, interest on bank deposits, etc. and relieved alcohol companies by removing VAT on unnecessary products.The HM too is responsible and created a havoc in medical education by favouring SAITM.Altogether UNP is responsible for appointing a rogue as the CB Governor. You all neglected people's problems and spent lavishly on your own.NOW IT HAS BECOME A PATTERN IN THE POLITICAL ARENA, A CYCLE OF THIEVES COMING AND GOING. ALL THE POLITICIANS ARE ENGAGED IN ROBBING PUBLIC FUNDS.

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Senewi Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:28

Trying to winning the hearts of voters and preventing return of Rajapaksha rule are two different things .

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Anton Abeyesekera Tuesday, 13 February 2018 12:28

You had three and a half years to frame charges against Mahinda and you have not uncovered or found money hidden overseas as you personally promised.This is what the average Voter sees and they have vindicated him.We have to make sure that the present Government with a track record of embezzlement at Bond auction,money laundering by ministers which have surfaced in the open do not get an opportunity to raise their heads again.Accept defeat like a Man like your Father.

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abey Tuesday, 13 February 2018 13:50

not just the UNP the whole country needs to ensure the tyrant does not get back to power

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Mm Tuesday, 13 February 2018 21:16

Abey you are one of those people who have swollowed fales propaganda and UNP small talk.

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Just Another Citizen Tuesday, 13 February 2018 13:53

No, the UNP has a duty to it's people to deliver on what they promised. No one voted for pointing fingers and stopping other people coming back into power. We voted for a change because we want a better Sri Lanka.

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Tuan Tuesday, 13 February 2018 14:05

No one could stop MR coming... I guess this guy is shivering in his pants knowing too well the door is in sight for him et al for the unp.

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Ajay Tuesday, 13 February 2018 14:19

Find the billions you said rajapakshas stole. Until then nobody believes a word you say. Shamelessly holding a ministerial portfolio.

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Yeti Wednesday, 14 February 2018 11:50

You(UNP) had the fish in your hand but just let it slid back into the water. So what duty are you speaking about, the one had or the one you just let go?????

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Ravi Wednesday, 14 February 2018 12:00

But the voice of the people says exactly the opposite! They are requesting Mahinda to take over and develop this country.

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